The Winthrop University Manuscript Collection (over 1600 collections) contains unique private papers donated to the Archives by individuals and records from organizations and businesses. These collections not only document local, regional, and state history, but also transcend South Carolina’s borders to include collections that are of broader historical interest. Genealogy is also a prominent theme within the collection with of these collections containing valuable family history information, including genealogy charts, family histories, scrapbooks, letters, diaries, wills, grants, indentures and biographical data. Much of the material is unpublished and varies in quantity and content from collection to collection.

The Lucia B. Bell Papers consist of historical and family history information pertaining to the Bell family of South Carolina. Most of the material relates to the Bell Family and other allies clans such as the Gaston, Coln, and Stinson Families. The earliest dated material includes notes on the Bell family’s coat-of-arms and a listing of land grants from 1770-1848. Information on the Chester County Covenanters along with reprinted historical sketches concerning the area’s general history and a biographical sketch on Reverend William Martin, the first Chester County Covenanter preacher. A brief history of Fishing Creek Presbyterian Church is provided with listing of former church elders and deacons from 1895-1958.

The Thomas Belue Collection consists of the diary of Thomas Belue of Union County, South Carolina. He enrolled as a private in the Confederate Army in Co. F, Captain C.W. Boyd’s , 15th SCV. The diary covers August, 1861 to September, 1863, and May 1864. Belue describes battles fought in South Carolina, Georgia,Tennessee, and Virginia, mileage covered, camp life and events that occurred during his time in the army. The collection also includes biographical information, genealogical information, a partial transcript of the diary, and copies of Belue’s military records. In addition there is a tintype in a case of Belue in his uniform, two copies of the tintype, and photographs of his gravestone at Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery in Union County, South Carolina.

The Benick/Beanick Family Papers consist of two land deeds and two surveys from Lincoln County, North Carolina to members of the Benick/Beanick family. The first deed affords land to Philip Benick on August 22, 1795 and includes a survey, which is glued to the deed, for Philip Benick’s property at the Indian Creek (150 acres) conducted on December 3, 1794 by David Ramsey. on the area done . The second deed affords land along Indian Creek in Lincoln County, NC to Feely Beanick and was entered on October 20, 1818 and registered on November 30, 1820. The second deed also has a survey of the property glued to it dated February 15, 1820 conducted by Samuel Wilson.

The collection consists of 2 booklets listing the cemetery inscriptions for Bethel United Methodist and Tabernacle United Methodist Churches copied by Mattie Adams Plyler and Betty Keener Samaras. The lists are in alphabetical order. Included in the inscriptions of the Tabernacle United Methodist Church is a brief history of the Church, a list of ministers and a roll of honor of members in the service during World War II.

This collection consists of a publication titled Cemetery Directory of Bethesda Presbyterian Church 1769-1994: Honoring 225 Years in His Service compiled by Dr. Robert H. Walker. The cemetery directory includes a history of the Bethesda Presbyterian Church and the Bethesda community, maps and an explanation on how to use the directory, alphabetically arranged lists of gravestones by surname which includes location number, birth and death dates, veteran of a war and any addition information found on the stone. Bethesda, a community in southern York County, SC, became a preaching station in 1760 and Rev. William Richardson organized Bethesda Presbyterian church around 1769. The current church was built in 1820 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

The Waxhaw and Shiloh Bible Society History, 1855-1978 was written by Nancy Crockett in tribute to the society, which began under the direction of the American Bible Society at Waxhaw Presbyterian Church and Shiloh Associate Church in Lancaster County, South Carolina, for the purpose of distribution of religious literature in North and South Carolina.

This collection consists of a booklet titled, The Constitution and Proceedings of the Black Oak Agricultural Society, for 1848 & 1849 published by order of the Society in 1849 in Charleston, SC printed by Miller & Browne. This publication consists of the constitution for the Black Oak Society based in Charleston, SC and also includes resolutions, meeting minutes, list of committees and a list of members of the society itself.

The collection consists of a booklet of letters to the editor from George A. Trenholm and William Gregg concerning The Blue Ridge Railroad. This railroad was to be built to complete the connection of the line that was to run from Charleston, SC to Cincinnati, Ohio. This line would have run from Anderson, SC to Knoxville, TN. Construction began in 1854 and ceased just before the beginning of the Civil War. The railroad was never completed. The letters appeared in the Edgefield Advertiser, Charleston Courier, and Charleston Mercury in 1860.

The Bond Family Papers includes biographical and genealogical information, correspondence, legal documents, financial papers, records relating to the Bond Bicycle shop, photographs, certificates, scrapbooks, memorabilia, maps, newspapers, magazines, and music sheets. There are also papers relating to the Cantwell family, deaths of various family members, travel, Winthrop College, the Internal Revenue Service, interior decorating, clubs and organizations, and the Roman Catholic Church.

The Palmetto Literary Society Records consist of yearbooks of the Palmetto Literary Society of Chester, South Carolina’s for the period 1906-1928 which documents the women’s club’s growth, activities, and history.

The Amelia Pride Book Club of Rock Hill Records consist of a historical file, minutes, constitution and bylaws, correspondence, photographs, program notes, newspaper clippings, yearbooks, Winthrop publications and a scrapbook all pertaining to the origin, growth, and literary activities of the club.

The Castilian Club of Rock Hill Records consist of short histories, minutes, by-laws, yearbooks, membership lists, programs and financial records, documenting the origin, development and activities of the club.

Organized in 1904 as the Monday Afternoon Club and later the Monday Club, it became the Outlook Club in 1916. The original purpose of the book club (later the interests of the club were literary, social, and philanthropic) was to affect a better relationship between the wives of the Winthrop College faculty, and the women of Rock Hill, SC. The club was federated by the South Carolina Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1907 and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1933. Minutes, reports, correspondence, financial records, program notes, newspaper clippings, membership records, publications, constitutions and bylaws, historical data, yearbooks, bulletins, convention records, magazines, catalogs, memorabilia, and a scrapbook. The records provide information, not only on the club but also on other subjects, including the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the South Carolina Federation of Women’s Clubs, the role of women’s clubs during World War II, and the relationship between the wives of Winthrop College faculty and the women in the Rock Hill community.

The Over The Teacups Club Records consist of minutes, correspondence, yearbooks, reports, a historical sketch, reference material and memorabilia relating to the literary and civic activities of Over The Teacups. Over The Teacups Club was formed in Rock Hill, SC in the Fall of 1897 for the literary improvement and social intercourse of its members.

The Perigee Club of Rock Hill Records consists of constitutions, by-laws, minutes, membership lists, yearbooks and newspaper clippings documenting the activities and history of the Rock Hill, SC book club. The Perigee Club of Rock Hill, a woman's book club, was organized on February 22, 1955 by The Perihelion Club of Rock Hill, SC. and federated by the South Carolina Federation of Women's Club on March 11, 1955.

The Perihelion Club of Rock Hill Records consist of minutes, financial statements, membership lists, yearbooks, correspondence and news clippings, concerning the literary activities of the club. The Perihelion Club of Rock Hill was organized in 1898 as a book club. It was federated with the South Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs in 1898 and with the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1929.

The Pierian Club of Rock Hill Records consist of yearbooks, correspondence, newspaper clippings, a scrapbook, constitutions and bylaws, and other records relating to the club and its’ members.

The Pierian Book Club of Rock Hill, SC was federated on February 25, 1954 and existed as a daughter club of the Perihelion Book Club of Rock Hill. The object of the club is listed in the constitution and states “this club shall be to encourage and sustain the intellectual development of its members and to promote better citizenship, inviting therein such social features as may contribute to this purpose.”

The Pindarian Club of Rock Hill, SC was organized on February 25, 1954 as a daughter club of the Perihelion Club. The purpose of the literary club is to encourage and sustain the intellectual development of its members and to promote better citizenship, inviting therein such social factors as may contribute to this purpose. The records consist of histories, constitutions, bylaws, minutes, membership records, photographs, yearbooks, and newspaper clippings documenting the club’s history.

The Tuesday Afternoon Book Club of Rock Hill Records consists of constitutions and by-laws, minutes, membership and officer lists, correspondence, yearbooks and newspaper, clippings relating to the history of the book club. The Tuesday Afternoon Club was organized in Rock Hill, SC by the Saturday Afternoon Club of Rock Hill on May 12, 1955 as a book club for women.

The Boulware Family Papers consist of photocopies of a plantation journal (302 pages) kept by Thomas McCullough Boulware I (1829-1889) and a genealogy of the Boulware family written by James Richmond Boulware II of Lakeland, Florida, in 1948. The journal concerns the Blackstocks Plantation in Chester County, South Carolina and subjects include the planting of crops and farming of land; family events, such as deaths, births and marriages; family travel and vacations; church affairs, including the local temperance league; land sales; free black and northerners in Chester County after the Civil War.

The Bowen-Moore Family Papers consists of a detailed family genealogy with dated photographs, personal letters, military history, legal documents, genealogy trees, cemetery records, and descriptions of certain key members. Family names include Bowen, Moore, Erwin, Pearson, Cureton, Neely, Shurley, Matthew, and Youngblood. There is also information pertaining to Beth Shiloh Presbyterian Church and Bethesda Presbyterian Church in York County, S.C.

The Broyles, Laffitte, and Boyd Family Papers consist of a photocopy of Genealogical Data: Broyles, Laffitte, and Boyd FamiliesCollected by Montague Laffitte Boyd, Jr., M.D. published by Mrs. Lucy Boyd Trosdal. The information covers a period from ca.1630 to 1958.

The Palmetto Area Council Boy Scouts of America Records is a source of boy scouting records in the upstate area of South Carolina during the twentieth century. While the Palmetto Area Council was organized in 1935, records of boy scouting in the area begin earlier and continue until the late 1960s. The collection consists of a brief history of the council, newspaper clippings, photographs, certificate of election, minutes of an organizational meeting, annual reports, a trust fund brochure and program for 1938 testimonial dinner. These records give a brief overview of the history of the Palmetto Area Council. They are a valuable resource in understanding the Boy Scout movement in South Carolina.

Lucy Agnes Brady (1899-1995) was a Winthrop graduate of the Class of 1920. The Lucy Brady Papers consist of programs of Winthrop events including the 1919 and 1920 Junior-Senior Receptions, a Banquet in honor of the returning World War I military men, piano recital, Christmas Vespers and the 1923 Annual Winthrop Dinner in Columbia, South Carolina; notes and letters to Miss Brady and a petition from the 1920 Seniors requesting a holiday instead of the usual trip to Magnolia Gardens. Of special note are letters from poet Amy Lowell (1874-1925), author Margaret P. Sherwood (1864-1955) and author, minister and professor of English at Boston University, Dallas Lore Sharp (1870-1929).

This Bratton Family Papers consist of news releases describing the Bratton family at their homestead in York County, SC, the architectural history of the homestead, the decoration and furniture of each room, a newspaper clipping describing the diary of Dr. Rufus Bratton (1821-1897) who was a surgeon for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, and an edited version of the diary covering the life of Dr. Rufus Bratton from 1821 to 1870.

This Bratton Family Papers consist of a Yorkville Enquirer account (1903) of the unveiling of a monument by the King’s Mountain Chapter of the D.A.R. in commemoration of the Battle of Huck’s Defeat at Brattonsville, a newspaper account concerning the influence on Thomas Dixon and his writing the Klansman(Charlotte Observer, July 14, 1963); a biographical sketch of James Rufus Bratton, and a description of Brattonsville.

The Bratton-Nisbet Family Papers consist of a biographical sketch of Martha Bratton (wife of Colonel William Bratton), a photograph of the gravesite of Jane Nisbet, and genealogical information regarding the Bratton, Nisbet, and Bassett families.

The Brattonsville Archaeological Site Photograph Collection consists of two photographs taken of a well and of "level 2-3." Historic Brattonsville is an historic site with three homes built between 1776 and 1855 by the Bratton Family which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. It was also the site of Huck's Defeat during the American Revolution.

This collection consists of records relating to Friends of Historic Brattonsville which exists as a nonprofit organization aimed to provide support to Historic Brattonsville, located in York County, South Carolina, which is “a living history farm presenting the history of the Scots-Irish and African-Americans in the South Carolina upcountry largely through preserving and interpreting the story of the Bratton family.” The collection also contains records relating to the governing historical bodies of York County including the York County Historical Commission (YCHC). The collection itself is organized in the original order maintained by the donor and spans from the original charter granted in 1983 through 2001. The collection consists of one spiral bound book and three binders. The spiral bound book contains the tax preparation for fiscal year 1997-1998 from Gamble&Livingston CPA’s. The first binder mostly refers to meetings, minutes, programs, or correspondence to/from the York County Historical Commission (YCHC). It begins in September of 1996 and continues through December of 1997. The second binder refers mostly to the Friends of Historic Brattonsville (FoHB) by way of minutes/agendas, bylaws/charter, tax/financial records, and general correspondence. The final binder refers to achievements and actions of the York County Culture and Heritage Committee throughout the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.

Martha Bray Carson (1876-1953) was a native of Fairfield County, S C but lived most of her life in Chester County. She was very active in the South Carolina United Daughters of the Confederacy and wrote many historical articles for their magazine. She served as president of the state UDC and as president, historian and register for the Chester UDC Chapter. In 1950, she wrote the following salute to the South Carolina State Flag: “I salute the Flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty and faith,” which was officially adopted by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1966. The Martha Bray Carson Papers consist of a copy of a photograph of Mrs. Carson and photocopies of newspaper articles, of her obituary, and the Salute to the Flag of South Carolina.

Breakfast Rotary Club of Rock Hill Records and Rotary Club of Rock Hill

The Breakfast Rotary Club of Rock Hill operated from 1993 to 2006 in Rock Hill, SC as a service organization devoted to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services and to promote ethical standards in all vocations. In 2006, the Breakfast Rotary Club of Rock Hill was absorbed into the original Rotary Club of Rock Hill. The Breakfast Rotary Club Records consist of photographs, newspaper clippings, brochures, flyers, pamphlets, manuals, membership records, scrapbooks, and various club records that detail the clubs activities.

The Breazeale Family Papers consists of photographs and newspaper clippings relating to the Breazeale family of Anderson,South Carolina. There is one photograph of Kenon Breazeale (1814-1893) from the 1880s and one undated photograph of former Winthrop Board of Trustee (1891-1926), John Enoch Breazeale (1848-1926). The former Winthrop dormitory Breazeale Hall (1924-12004) was named in John Breazeale’s honor.

The Brick Church Cemetery is located eight miles southeast of Chester, South Carolina, the cemetery of Brick Church is all that remains of a Covenanter Church that existed in Chester County, South Carolina during the late 18th century and the early 19th century. The Brick Church Cemetery Papers consist of photographs and a paper titled “The Covenanters of Brick Church”, written by Gina Price, covering the church’s history.

This collection consists of an artificially bounded book of 76 photographs taken of 74 sculptures at Brookgreen Gardens around the 1940s, possibly as early as the 1930s. Brookgreen Gardens is located in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and was established as a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve. The bound volume of photographs was given to Carnegie Library at Winthrop College in January of 1951.

Samuel Fewell Broughton (1908-1985) was born in Warren, Alabama, graduated from Mayville College in Maryville, TN, and later lived and worked as businessman in Rock Hill, SC where he is buried in the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church cemetery. The Samuel Fewell Broughton Letters consist of two letters written to Sam Fewell Broughton (1908-1985) from his mother describing local happenings in Warren, Arkansas. Also included is a brief letter from friend John describing a rabbit hunt and an unsigned YMCA identification card.

The Browne Family Papers consist of incoming correspondence (mainly from the 1840s to the 1850s) of Newton Browne and Jane Morris Browne from various relatives, together with deeds, wills, indentures, land plats, photographs, and various other papers concerning the Browne Family of Anderson County, South Carolina. The collection also includes information on the allied families of Breazeale, Carpenter, Dobbins, Gunnin, Hillhouse, McFall, McGregor, and Morris.

The collection consists of a history of the Brownlee Family of Abbeville County, South Carolina compiled from wills, tombstone records and family Bible records. The records extend from Thomas Brownlee of Torfoot, Scotland and consists of an article, “The Homes of the Brownlees In Scotland,” by Janet L. Brownlee. Also included is a genealogy of the Brownlee Family done by Leonardo Andrea for Mr. David A. Williams of Rock Hill, SC dated August 27, 1955 that traces his line to James Brownlee (1726-1798) who was the first in his line to come to America from Ireland.

The collection consists of Dr. Bryant’s professional and organizational files, biographical data, correspondence, and speeches. Most of the material relates to her publishing efforts, her work as a faculty member at Brooklyn College, and her involvement with professional organizations, especially the New York branch of the American Association of University Women. Most of the material extends form 1950-1975. A list of the more prominent individuals who corresponded with Margaret Bryant has been included as an appendix to the inventory. (For more extensive and comprehensive list of correspondents, see the list included in the collection control file.)

This collection consists of a the first draft of a history and a typescript copy of an interview with Charles L. White Jr. conducted by Winthrop Student Orlando Tate. On Sept 5, 1989, Nelson B. Rivers III; James Gallman Sr.; Rev. David Walker; Willar H. Hightower Jr.; Rev. James Jones Sr.; and Charles L. White Jr. were barred admission to an establishment known as the “Buffalo Room” in North Augusta, South Carolina by the owner and manager Bruce H. Salter. The NAACP brought civil action against Salter Enterprises, Inc. challenging Salter’s actions in denying African-American the use, and enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, privileges and accommodations of the “Buffalo Room” by reasons of their race. Charles White, Jr. would eventually be the first African American in the State of South Carolina to receive monetary damages for race discrimination.

The Betty Buff Papers consist of materials pertaining to the different organizations Betty Buff participated in throughout her life. Materials are present for the following organizations: Country Women’s Council (CWC), Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), National Master Farm Homemaker’s Guild (NMFHG), South Carolina Master Farm Homemaker’s Guild (SCMFHG), National Extension Homemaker’s Council (NEHC), various extensions of the Homemaker’s Council (i.e. South Carolina Extension, Tennessee Extension, etc.), American Farm Bureau (AFB), South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB), Lexington Farm Bureau (LFB), Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET), National Volunteer Outreach Network (NVON), Academic Programs Committee on Organization and Policy (ACOP), South Carolina Family and Community Leaders (SCFCL), National Association for Family and Community Education (NAFCE), and the National Extension Advisory Council (NEAC). Contents of folders mostly include photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, meeting materials, conference materials, programs, news articles, handbooks, organization histories, financial papers, publications, and other items of similar interest pertaining to Betty Buff and her activities in the above listed organizations. Also included are scrapbooks pertaining to Betty’s service in some of the above listed organizations, materials concerning the Buff-Swicegood Travel Award, and Women in Agriculture Delegation to Spain, Morocco, and Portugal materials.

Henry C. Burford (1840-1932) was a Confederate soldier in Co. E (Whitesville Guards) 20 Regiment Georgia Infantry during the American Civil War. He was captured at Fort Harrison near Richmond, VA on September 29, 1864 and was exchanged on March 17, 1865. The Henry C. Burford Papers consists of photocopies of Confederate muster rolls, hospital registers, prisoner of war rolls, and casualty lists, relating to Burford’s participation in the American Civil War.

The collection consists of memorabilia collected by Tiphaine Ravenel Burgess (1899-1984) who was a Winthrop graduate of the class of 1921. The collection consists of memorabilia including commencement and daisy chain programs, Winthrop postcards, report cards, January 16, 1920 edition of the Winthrop Weekly News, commencement invitation, a 1919 “Map of the Races of Europe,” and other material related to her time as an undergraduate at Winthrop. There is also 1924 Winthrop Summer school memorabilia including a Winthrop Annual Dinner program and a book of Summer School Meal Tickets. There are also programs, newspaper articles, and meeting agendas and budget reports relating to the Winthrop Alumnae Association and the 1956 alumni reunion (Tiphaine’s 35th reunion).

The Eleanor Burts Collection consists of children themed books, artifacts, artwork, posters, puzzles, and other miscellaneous items that were collected by Eleanor Norris Burts (1916-1998) throughout her life. Eleanor Burts was a 1937 graduate of Winthrop College and lifelong educator. She was an avid collector of artifacts, artwork, and mainly books related to children and amassed a very large collection of materials that date back to the 1700s.

Thelma Ecord Busbee [1910-2004] was a Civic leader and club woman from Columbia, South Carolina. The Thelma Ecord Busbee Papers consist of correspondence, reports, constitutions, financial records, program notes, and other papers relating to her many club and civic activities. The collection covers the South Carolina Federation of Women’s Clubs (1950-1959), The South Carolina Status of Women’s Conference (1961-1968), the Richland-Lexington Tuberculosis Association (1961-1964), South Carolina Alert, Inc. (1961-1962), the Palmetto Outdoor Historical Drama Association (1965-1968), the South Carolina State Library Board (1967-1968), the Lexington County Hospital Auxiliary (1970-1972), and the South Carolina Council for the Common Good (1966).

The Business and Professional Women's Club of Spartanburg was founded in 1919. The Spartanburg chapter of the Business and Professional Women's Club is now known as the Breakfast Business and Professional Women of Spartnaburg. Their mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. The collection consists of a history, bylaws, correspondence, annual reports, financial records, pamphlets, newsletters, other publications, and photographs, mainly relating to the Business and Professional Women’s Club annual conventions in South Carolina and around the nation.

The Business and Professional Women's Club of Greenville traces its beginnings to 1919 with the mission to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. The Business and Professional Women's Cub of Greenville Records consist of bylaws and constitutions, historical data, yearbooks, newspaper clippings, financial records, publications, reports, membership lists, and other records relating to the history of the women’s clubs.